Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/125794
the efficient muffler. Germany is far ahead of everyone else in silencer design. It accepts the downward shift into first gear without hesitation. The gearbox and clutch performed delightfully throughout the 100-plus miles of our test. Unless the throttle is wound mercilessly, the engine tends to bog coming off the line. Some owners would lower the [mal drive ratio because of this, but a better modification would be to snap on a torque pipe if very much slow pulling is anticipated. Once under way, the 5-speed gearset overcomes all but slow trials-type demands of the rider. In very slow going you have to slip the clutch and keep on buzzing. Puchs prefer going fast and staying on the pipe is not much of a problem with them. The handHng and suspension are ideally mated for travelling briskly over treacherous terrain. Speedshifts are a constant delight whenever steep hills appear and the feel of gripping the tall, slab-sided nylon gas tank is pos'itively erotic to one's knees. One of us banged that unique red tank on a rock and it didn't even scratch! The seat is too thin and narrow for a rider of large proportions. It is just a motocross pad. With leather pads on it is barely adequate; through thin Levis, it hurts. As an enduro -tool, this test mount didn't make it. Our particular machine was furnished by American Puch Distributing Co., which shares the U.S. market with Ted Lapadakis' Hercules Distributing Co. Judging from the ads in Cycle News West, Ted's product seems to be properly outfitted for enduro as it comes, but the American Puch had a ligh ting kit that is inadequate and just plain illegal in most states. It had no brake ligh t, one beam, no hom, no battery and no speedometer lights. Toodling around the Swing Shift Enduro course on a moonless nigh t, we had to run one or two gears lower than we used on the same course in daylight. This to keep the headlamp bright enough to see by. Until American Puch shapes up their electrics, better shop around for a Hercules dealer if you plan to go enduro-ing. The speedometer is a fine instrument, despite the wild optimism of its 140 mph range. It is as accurate as . ~ ~ Ii' ll. .... '" en ~ cD g « ~" w Z W ..J U >- U . - ::J High-speed cross-country competition is the Puch's favorite game. Full tank gives 75--mile cruising range a1 racing speeds. (Ron Scheneiders photo.) they come. The fastest -fe got out of the little bikewas 70 mphmdicated on a slightly downhill power line. We admit that our nerves peaked a Httle earlier than the engine did. Geometry was steadily reassuring at every sp-eed. At a suggested price of $970, the 175cc Puch "Enduro" is a machine that can do everything important exceedingly well. With a few cheap modifications it should satisfy most dirt riders, whether tastes run to racing, trailing or timekeeping. It is a Gold Medal winner in the Six Days TrijU, which proves that it can both dIsh it out and take it. Whell we say "Try it, you'll like it," you'll like it. Try it. SPECIFICATIONS 1~5cc PUCH ENDURO 1972 Test machine courtesy of American Puch Co. Sacramento, Calif. ENGI NE: 2-cycle, piston ported, 20 ho"rsepower (DIN), 13.02 ft/lb torque @ 8,000 RPM., CR: 11.5:1. Premlx·lubricatlon. Bosch transistor ignition 16v·17w. 81ng 27mm central float carburetor, dry filter. wet clutch. WEIGHTS & MEASURES, APprox. 230 Ibs. wet. 2.5 gal., 53" wheelbase, 9.4" ground clearance, 5.9" fork travel. Front wheel 300x21, rear 3.50x18," DETAILS: Cerlanl forkst Girling Shocks, front wheel speedo, helical primary, Metzeler tires, Magura controls. Make a DATE With ~ ('!'!t1t'~ MOLLY BLUE , * ""J.= - rn SHIN GUARDS *CARABELA *HODAKA STEEN Vinyl Coated $10.25 pro FOREARM GUARDS Vinyl Coated $6.25 pro ELBOW GUARDS Contoured Vinyl $6.25 pro HELMET FACE GUARDS $3.95 Prompt Mail Order Nick Nicholson Motors 11573 Va-nowen, No. Hollywood, Ca. (213) 764·8674 26 years experience More details next week. ; Thoughtful items like spring mounted pipe and unique crankcase bash·proofing make the 175 Puch more likeable. WARNER'S Box 61, la Mirada, Ca. 90638 Courtesy to Dealers lAW ASAII ONLY '''f?-l''''"", '. i) -~ . WHAT PRICE SAFETY? ,,'s Cheap When You Buy The Best From Jim Oav;s Mo'osport Elbow pads .'...•• 9.80 Chll51 pt'"l)lectors .•. 9.75 stIi"q,.lar(k Shouldllrpads ....• 14.30 K~ pa(b • Mouth pros 15.95 4.SO .• 6.00 And lots mOle available Irated 'atolog 10: JIM DAVIS, 10. 1002. 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TH IS COUPON IS EFFECTIVE FROM JULY 19 to AUGUST 2 •.. ~ ACCESSORY SALE MX JERSEYS GUARANTEED FRONT FENDERS GUARANTEED REAR FENDERS ADJUSTABLE MOTORCYCLE STAND, CYCLE RAMPS (LIGHTWEIGHT) MX CHAMBERS 21" RIMS (36 HO lE) MOTORCYCLE COVERS SilENCERS $10.95 $4.49 $5.95 $9.95 $12.95 $24.95 $8.95 $6.95 $8.95 Mail Order Add 5% Tax plus $1.00 freight . SORRY NO C.O.D:S CANOGA·PARK SUZUKI 7633 Winnetka Ave. Canoga Park, Ca. 91306 (213) 341-4926 c::I '- Open Mon.-Fri., 9 am to 7 pm, Sat. 8 am to 6 pm SU~UKI . Check with your local dealer. or send 25, tor 11Ius· MOTO GUZZI